Dialogos

EU-Mercosur Deal Gets Green Light Amidst Strong Opposition

Published January 9, 2026, 20:00
EU-Mercosur Deal Gets Green Light Amidst Strong Opposition

The European Commission and EU member states have approved the signing of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, despite strong opposition and accusations of an undemocratic process. This approval allows for the provisional application of the agreement before its final ratification by the European Parliament. Critics of the agreement describe it as the "worst trade deal" ever concluded by the EU, due to the lower social, environmental, and health standards in Mercosur countries, which create unfair competition for European farmers. Despite the approval, the process is not yet complete. A crucial next step is a vote on referring the agreement to the European Court of Justice for a legality check, a proposal supported by 145 MEPs. Approval from the European Parliament is not guaranteed, with the Left stating it will continue to oppose the agreement. The co-president of the European Left, Manon Aubry, accuses the Commission and member states of sacrificing European farmers for the interests of multinational corporations. She argues that the agreement opens the European market to products with lower standards, exacerbating competition. The EU-Mercosur agreement remains controversial, and its final approval depends on developments in the European Parliament and the outcome of a potential legality check by the European Court of Justice. Reactions are expected to continue as farmers and civil society organizations express their concerns about the potential negative consequences of the agreement.